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natural pet
Skin-Soothing Herbs for Dogs and Cats
Simple Ways to Reduce Itching
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by Greg Tilford
From allergies to liver deficiency, many factors can itch, inflame and irritate the skin of our pets. A dog’s or cat’s skin can become damaged or compromised because the skin is the first line of defense against attacks from external substances. Skin problems in pets have many causes, yet a variety of herbs can help a dog or cat feel more comfortable.
While the catalysts of acute-onset skin issues such as insect bites or sunburn are obvious and can be dealt with directly, most forms of skin and coat disease are caused by deeper issues that can be extremely difficult to identify and address. Chronic or recurring skin conditions that cannot be attributed to influences outside the body usually point to deeper health issues, some of which can be serious or even life-threatening.
The greatest mistake one can make when assessing a skin problem is assuming the problem is only skin deep. And while topical salves, liniments, shampoos or lotions can be quite effective in temporarily suppressing itching and pain, they will not likely address the root causes of a dog’s or cat’s skin ailment. For that, the situation must be approached from the inside-out with diet and several key herbs.
Many cases of chronic skin issues in dogs and cats are either directly attributable to or strongly influenced by inappropriate and allergy-inducing ingredients in pet foods. Be critical about the quality of pet foods and avoid those that contain meat byproducts, artificial flavors and preservatives, as well as all grains, especially wheat and corn.
It’s also important to give a good fish or krill oil supplement to dogs and cats. The omega-3 fatty acids in these marine lipids play critical roles in regulating immune system inflammatory response to allergens. More specifically, they inhibit inflammation, while omega-6 fatty acids typically found in grains and vegetable oils stimulate inflammation. Both processes are necessary for healthy body functioning, but an imbalance of too much omega-6 sets the stage for skin allergies, a dull coat and excessive shedding.
Liver deficiency is another common factor to consider. The liver is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and acids needed to break down and assimilate food while also filtering waste from the bloodstream. If the liver is deficient in any of these functions, excess waste that cannot be eliminated via normal pathways will wreak havoc on the body, often manifesting as a skin condition. If this happens, symptoms commonly recognized as pyoderma, eczema or psoriasis will increase as the body tries to eliminate the waste, pushing the toxins outward and away from vital internal organs toward the skin.
In addition to dietary adjustments, liver support is helpful when it comes to skin problems, and this is where herbs come in.
Burdock root (Arctium lappa). This herb has an ancient history as a skin remedy. It contains inulin, an svvvita/AdobeStock.com indigestible polysaccharide constituent that serves as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial microflora in the gut and improving digestion. It also contains a broad variety of compounds that gently stimulate the liver at various levels to help detoxify the body and aid in
transporting waste out of the bloodstream. Burdock can be found as a tincture or a fresh root at many health food stores. Grate the fresh root liberally onto the pet’s food at each mealtime. Burdock is fairly neutral in fl avor and very safe, so there’s no need to worry about overfeeding.
Dandelion (Taraxacum offi cinale). Th e roots and leaves are highly nutritious. Th ey contain a complex svvvita/AdobeStock.com assortment of liversupporting compounds as well as diuretic properties that aid the body in eliminating toxins via urination. Red clover (Trifolium pretense), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and
svvvita/AdobeStock.com milk thistle (Silybum marianum). These are well-known blood cleansers worth considering. Look for formulas that contain a balanced array of all three.
Greg Tilford is the CEO of Animal Essentials Inc., a natural pets supplement company. He is the author of fi ve books, including Herbs for Pets: Th e Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet’s Life. For more information, visit AnimalEssentials.com.
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Topical Herbs that Relieve the Itch
To heal a pet’s skin problems from the inside-out with good food and supplementation can take a few weeks. In the meantime, the itchy misery can be reduced with topical remedies. One of the most eff ective approaches is herbal astringents that work by quickly tightening skin and subcutaneous tissue, reducing infl ammation and redness. ■ Witch hazel. Th is herbal extract can be purchased as a clear liquid at any drugstore. It’s also the primary active ingredient in many commercial hemorrhoid ointments, as it reduces infl amed membranes very quickly. A dab or two of witch hazel applied with a cotton ball can work wonders against fl ea or mosquito bites. It’s important to know that most products are made with isopropyl alcohol, which is quite toxic if ingested in large amounts. Th erefore, this extract should be reserved for situations in which only a few dabs are needed (i.e., don’t use it as a rinse). Better yet, look for witch hazel extract made with ethanol (grain alcohol) or vegetable glycerin, an edible palm oil derivative used in natural soaps and cosmetics for its emollient, skin-soothing qualities. ■ Aloe vera. With its antibacterial properties, aloe vera gel works especially well when spot-applied directly to hot spots or insect bites. However, unless combined with an emollient, the drying and tightening properties of aloe vera could further exacerbate discomfort caused by dry, chapped skin. ■ Calendula. Calendula offi cinalis, small marigold, is easy to grow or purchase in dry bulk form at natural product retailers. Cooled calendula tea, liberally applied to an animal’s skin and coat, can bring fast relief to infl amed skin and accelerate the healing of open sores. To make a soothing skin rinse, simply infuse two to four tablespoons of dried calendula fl owers into a quart of near-boiling water. Allow the tea to cool completely, drench the pet with the tea and allow it to drip dry. ■ Tea. Peppermint, chamomile and green teas are great for relieving itchy skin. Infuse four to six tea bags of any (or all) of these herbs into one quart of boiling water. Cool thoroughly and rinse the animal. Not only will it feel better, it will smell great, too.
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